PARLIAMENT OPENS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 142, 17 June 1926, Page 20

PARLIAMENT OPENS.

SPEAKER RE-ELECTED. A GRACEFUL COMPLIMENT. ALL PARTIES UNANIMOUS. FORMALITES OF FIRST DAY. (By Telegraph— Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The first session of the new Parliament which was elected laefc November was opened by a- Commission of five members of the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon; Having been summoned by Black Rod to the Legislative Council chamber, the members of the House of Representatives were directed to elect a Speaker. Returning to their own chamber immediately, the ueual formalities of swearingin were first observed. Mr. J. M. Dickson (Chalmers) moved that the Hon. C. E. Statham (Dunedin Central) be appointed Speaker. Three years ago, he said, he ;had proposed Mr. Statham fpr that office, at which time he said that his nominee would be fair, just, and tactful. His prophecy 'had been amply fulfilled. Mr. Statham had carried out his duties with the utmost satisfaction. Sir George Hunter (Waipawa), in seconding, said that Mr. Statham was known to all for his kindly, considerate, and treatment. Three years ago he had prophesied that Mr. Statham would compare favourably, with the best of his predecessors, and ithat 'he would conduct the business of Parliament with dignity, ability, and impartiality. Sir George felt that Mr. Statham would be as successful in the future as he had been in the past. Sir Joseph Ward (Invercargill) supported the nomination, saying that he thought the Speaker should not be elected on the utterances of one side of a representative House. Speaker Takes the Chair. There were no further nominations, and Mr. Statham'was then conducted.to the Speaker's chair. The mace being laid on the table, Mr. Statham said that, speaking with a full sense of the high honour conferred on him, he would do hie utmost to uphold the high traditions of his office. He hoped to have the goodwill of the House, and that every member would regard him as a friend.. ■ ;v - The Premier offered 'his congratulations to the Speaker. Every member.of the last Parliament, he. said, remembered Mr. Statham's tact, firmness, fair play, and even-handed justice. Mr. Statham could take it as a graceful compliment that he had been re-elected unanimously. Mr. Coatee concluded by expressing the hope that the fine name < borne by the New Zealand Parliament, would be maintained, and, if possible, improved during the Speaker's term. Mr. H. E. Holland offered congratulations on behalf of the Opposition, end Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) tendered the felicitations of the Nationalists, making a special point of the fact that there had never been a disorderly scene in the history of the New A Zealand Parliament. The House thea> adjourned j t»tf nexf afternoon, when the Governor-General will formally open Parliament. 1 '■' i